Donald Trump’s Treasury secretary Scott Bessent is pushing for new universal tariffs on US imports to start at 2.5 per cent and rise gradually, said four people familiar with the proposal.

Scott Bessent has been confirmed as US Treasury Secretary, advocating for universal tariffs starting at 2.5%. He aims to eliminate taxes, implement a consumption tax, and adopt a gold-backed currency,

Newly confirmed U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is advocating a plan to impose universal tariffs on imports, according to the Financial Times. The proposal suggests starting tariffs at 2.5%, increasing by 2.